Castelli Idro

joey54321

Can pick these up at pretty big discounts at the moment (though still insanely expensive). Anyone got one (or similar Gore Active jackets)? Would you rate them? I'm thinking it would be useful for wet commutes but also due to packability good on longer road rides where the weather looks undecided and particularly useful for trips to the mountains to keep the wind off during longer descents.

kingstongraham

I was looking at these before a trip to the Dolomites, and went for the Endura Race Cape (at half the price even after the discounts on the Idro).

It was excellent for exactly the situations you describe.

lincolndave

I have one and can recommend it, I used it last week in the rain a 1 1/4 hour ride home it kept me dry ,both on the outside and inside, very breathable, plenty long enough at the back, it is the best one I have used , packs up small enough to fit in the back pocket of my jersey.

super_davo

I have a Gore One that uses the same fabric and highly recommended. Packs as small as an emergency rain cape, as much protection as a full hardshell, has as good breathability as any rain jacket I've tried.

I'd definitely prefer the Castelli because the fit is the one thing that lets it down - I've got a small and not tight enough, particularly around the waist.

bobones

I have the Idro and it's the easily the best rain jacket I have ever owned. Even in the heaviest, prolonged downpour, the inside of the jack remains dry. The Castelli fit is great and the red flashes look smart, but the one criticism I have is that there are no hi viz options. I just wear a hi viz gilet over the Idro if I am feeling vulnerable (e.g. riding alone at dawn or dusk).

I have used the Endura Race Cape for years as my go to portable rain jacket, and was very happy with it, but the Idro is in a different league for keeping you dry in the worst of weather.

fenix

I've been looking at these shakedry jackets for a while now and this is the best price I've seen.

Sizing is on the small side I believe ?

Wiggle have the Gore ones with a bit more colour on - but very expensive.

joey54321

I think the issue with the colours is that they can only make that material in black, any colour has to be a different material.

Still, sounds like very good reviews so far!

paulmon

I had the Gore one briefly but sent it back because the waist band wasn't elasticated so if you had anything in your jersey pockets the jacked would ride up over them and your back would get covered in crap.

bobones

I've no complaints with the Idro fit. I'm a large in most Castelli stuff and large in the Idro is a nice, close fit. £159 from Sigma is a steal so pull the trigger before it's too late!

Lastpost

I’ve been eyeing one up for a while and recently took the plunge from Sigma.
I’m really impressed, you can tell it’s a quality bit of kit. I’m yet to test it in the rain, but wore it on a chilly morning ride and it kept the wind off and me dry inside.
Due to the black and slightly matt material it soaked up the winter sun.
Sizing wise...Castelli seem inconsistent. I’m usually medium after Christmas so went for a large. It could be a little tighter, but it’s fine - no flapping.
Do it while it’s on offer, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

joey54321

So i've ordered the Idro and the One 1985 both in medium and large (so my bank account has taken a HIT!) but i'll send at least 3 back. Thanks for the advice guys, lets just hope the fit is right.

lincolndave

joey54321 wrote:

So i've ordered the Idro and the One 1985 both in medium and large (so my bank account has taken a HIT!) but i'll send at least 3 back. Thanks for the advice guys, lets just hope the fit is right.

Assuming they have been delivered, have you decided which one is for yourself joey ?

daniel_b

Interested too.

As an aside, just saw these two reviews on Sigma:

At 1.78m tall & 62.5kg I was unsure which size to order so I ordered both L and XL. Short answer, both fit, sort of. The size L was like it was painted on. Perfect if you're a racer. The XL still fits trimly but leaves room for a heavier base layer & jersey. The jacket does fold into a small package easily fitting in less than a back pocket. Have only ridden in light rain so far but the jacket performed as promised. Breathed fairly well and kept me dry.

That amazes me, I would have those dimensions (I was at that two months ago) down as a small, or medium at a push.

*Thinking about it, I wonder if that is a typo, and should read 72.5 or even 82.5 - was thinking he could be wearing it over a thick jersey, but then he states that it fits like it was 'painted on' so likely not.

Then there is this one the other end of the scale!

I think sizing with castelli is really a matter of your body shape. Im 1.82m tall and 72kg and wear a S. It fits just perfect, even with a midlayer under it...

joey54321

They have arrived but I was on holiday at the beginning of the week. They are currently under my desk and waiting for me to get 10 mins to try them on. Its certainly a very strange-feeling material.

daniel_b

joey54321 wrote:

They have arrived but I was on holiday at the beginning of the week. They are currently under my desk and waiting for me to get 10 mins to try them on. Its certainly a very strange-feeling material.

Agreed - unique feeling, recall from the Gore I ordered but returned due to the fit not quite being right.

Would be interested to hear what you make of the fit.

fenix

OK so I'm 6 foot and just over 80 Kg and I went for the XL. Seems to be a good fit - not had to wear it in the rain yet - but the size is about right. It's going to go over other kit so you don't want it skin tight.

Certainly was waterproof under the tap anyway....

dazz_ni45

I picked up one before Christmas and it is an excellent rain jacket.

I'm 6ft and 77kg and also went for the XL as I wanted to wear it over a heavier jacket if required. It a nice snug fit when worn over a jacket. I've also tried it on just wearing a light jersey and there is obviously a bit more room, but it wouldn't say it is baggy or flaps around.

Performance wise I've been very impressed. I've ridden it for 3-4 hour rides in persistent light rain and also in downpours and I have remained totally dry. I've also been impressed by its breath-ability as I generally push up and do a quite a bit of climbing so was expecting to be damp from sweat which wasn't the case. It has also kept me warmer, noticeably so when the rain has stopped and I've taken it off.

joey54321

So given the impending hail for my commute home I decided to try them on in the office.

The Large Castelli seemed like a good fit except that it was nearly impossible to get my wrist through the cuff, for a garment I want to be able to take off and on over gloves and on the move this was too much of a limitation so will go back.

The large Gore had good cuffs and seemed, to me, like the 'better' jacket, however was a bit too large and baggy round the body. Unfortunately, Wiggle sent the wrong item in the medium so will have to send all 4 back and then order the correct item in the medium to try that too. So, in summary, still inconclusive.